Edt 674

EDT 674
Chapter 5: Social Networks
What is social networking?

• Refers to Web 2.0 which allows users to create links such as a web page or collection of photos
• This includes online groups or ways to connect with others through contacts or “friends”
• Allows for those with common interests, to engage in discussions
  • o Medical issues
  • o Educators creating courses
  • o Playing games
  • o Planning a trip to the moon
  • Collaborative tagging
  • Social classification
  • Social tagging

How is social networking a useful tool?

• To allow for thousands of individuals to discuss a particular topic
• Popular sites include: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter in North America
• Young people are online using these tools
• Schools have been hesitant to use social networking tools in the classroom
• As a result www.ning.com started an online platform for people to create their own social networks
• Advantages to ning (translation from Chinese: peace)
  • o Collaborate on projects
  • o Post questions and concerns
  • o Retain notes, videos, podcasts and other classroom activities
  • o Allows absent students to catch up
  • o Develop, collaborate and retain their own efforts over time
  • o Access granted to families and others to share information
  • Example: www.Librarything.com is a social networking for those that love books to connect, discuss and make recommendations
  • Social networking allows people to communicate more effectively

When do teachers use social networking?

• Social networks support relationships between teachers and students
• Some sites include:
  • o www.ning.com
  • o www.learncentral.org
  • o www.schoolnetglobal.com
  • o www.goldstarcafe.net
  • o http://learnhub.com
  • o www.classroom20.com

Classroom Integration:

• One major problem is most school districts have rules against social networking
• But it fits with contemporary theories of learning and modern thinking
• There are 4 influential frameworks
  • o Behaviorism
  • o Constructivism
  • o Cognitivism
  • o Socio-cultural perspective
  • There is evidence that those engaged in Web 2.0 are engaged in innovative thinking and problem solving
  • Young people are already engaged in Web 2.0
  • The types of learning that come from the use of digital tools, especially social networking
    • o Social/personal: communication, general knowledge, creativity, collaboration, self-esteem, parallel processing, persistence, peer-to-peer learning, risk taking
    • o Cognitive/physical: multitasking, logical thinking, problem solving, trial-and-error learning
    • o Technical: hand eye coordination, technical confidence, web design/content creation
    • Production, performance, presentation, product, objectives are energizing learners

Professional Development:

• Teachers are happy to share favorite sites and join together in social networks and electronic learning communities

Additional Nings and Communities:

• Some Nings are for all educators to join
  • o http://firesidelearning.ning.com
  • English educators hold a virtual book club
    • o http://englishcompanion.ning.com
    • Educators with specialized responsibilities
      • o http://teacherlibrarian.ning.com
      • o Have created a way to work, share and help each other
      • Teachers of English and Foreign Language
        • o http://eflclassroom.ning.com
        • Check out ning for a more focused site in your discipline

Twitter

• Is a way to communicate and personally grow
• Share ideas, links, resources about everything

Overall

• Try social networking
  • o To improve student learning
  • o Support inquiry
  • o Self-directed learning
  • o Expand student’s horizons
  • o Wide range of ideas and creativity
  • o Learn from others
  • o Share tips
  • o Check out ning